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Reverse Trade Missions and Webinars Save MBEs Time and Money

For minority business owners interested in exporting their goods and services and eager to make contacts with markets overseas, but unable to travel, reverse trade missions provide unique opportunities to foster business relationships and build long-lasting partnerships between U.S. businesses and our overseas partners.

In June, MBDA participated in a reverse trade mission with Zambian leaders from government and the private sector, headed by the Honorable Robert K. Sichinga, M.P. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry. The delegation visited six cities, including Boston, Atlanta and Houston. In each city, MBDA provided support by mobilizing local businesses and doing matchmaking with minority-business owners. The delegation also met with MBDA National Deputy Director Alejandra Castillo and senior staff at MBDA headquarters in Washington, DC.

The purpose of the mission was to deepen U.S. – African economic, technical, social and cultural ties; and to leverage the strategic relationship between the U.S. and Zambia to increase bi-lateral trade and investment.

During the past year, U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), in support of that National Export Initiative, hosted more than 50 reverse trade missions to introduce U.S. businesses to more foreign delegates and business opportunities than ever before. USTDA introduced more than 600 foreign delegates to more than 1,000 U.S. company representatives across the United States. These foreign delegates included ministers, mayors, and senior governmental and private sector officials from emerging markets.

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. Commercial Service is organizing a Trade Mission to South Africa and Zambia November 26 – November 30, 2012.

The purpose of this trade mission is to deepen trade ties with South Africa and to explore export opportunities to Zambia. The Commerce Department will help U.S. firms find customers and business partners in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa, and Ndola, and Lusaka, Zambia. Learn more about the trade mission. http://export.gov/trademissions/southafricazambia/

Webinars

Besides participating in reverse trade missions when they come to your town, another cost-effective way to learn about global business opportunities is to sign up for trade webinars. In June, MBDA, in partnership with ITA, hosted a U.S. – Columbia Free Trade Agreement webinar. More than 200 businesses participated. Webinars on business opportunities with Korea and Peru are being planned.